CD Reviews

Essential, historical music.

jazzfanmn | St Cloud, MN United States | 12/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Coleman Hawkins was the first important tenor in jazz, a true legend, he was an innovator and a vital influence for fourty years. Every jazz collection needs to include some Hawk, and few cds are more essential than this one. Famous for including what is considered the first be-bop recording, Dizzy Gillspie's "Woody'n You", this is a cd that is not short on classic performances. The opening track is a beautiful reworking of Hawk's signature piece, "Body and Soul", titled "Rainbow Mist". The legendary recording of "Woody'n You" has a hard swinging Hawk totally digging into the music, and one of Gillespie's first great solos. Adding to this cd's value, there is the spirited initial recording of "Salt Peanuts", and several high energy solos from fellow saxmen Ben Webster and George Auld. Hearing Hawk in his early prime as well as young future icons such as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Pettiford, and Max Roach makes this cd a must have. This music is classic and inspired, and belongs in every jazz listener's library."